A stroke can strike without warning, but how quickly a person receives medical attention can determine whether they recover fully, live with long-term disability, or lose their life. When a stroke occurs, every second counts because brain cells begin to die immediately from a lack of oxygen. The faster a stroke is recognized and appropriate treatment is administered, the better the chances of survival and recovery.
One of the most effective treatments for ischemic stroke, which accounts for nearly 87% of all strokes, is intravenousThrombolytic therapy, commonly known as a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) drug. The clot-busting medication tPA dissolves blockages in blood vessels and restores blood flow to the brain. However, this treatment is most effective if given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Delays in treatment increase the risk of permanent brain damage, severe disability, or death.
Time = Brain
Once a stroke begins, brain cells die at an alarming rate—approximately two million brain cells per minute. longer blood flow is blocked, the more damage to the brain can occur. Extensive research has shown that the faster treatment is started, the better the outcomes are.
- Within 0-60 minutes: Best chance of recovery with minimal or no lasting effects.
- Between 1-3 hours: Increasing risk of permanent damage, but TPA can still be highly effective.
- At 3-4.5 hours: This is the final window where TPA can be administered, though effectiveness decreases.
- Beyond 4.5 hours: The risk of irreversible brain damage, disability, and death increases dramatically.
Stroke symptoms should be treated with the same urgency as a heart attack. A person experiencing a stroke should never wait to see if symptoms improve or “sleep it off.” Immediate medical care can save a life and limit disabilities.
Expert Stroke Care at Shore Medical Center
For residents of South Jersey, expert stroke care is available close to home. Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, NJ, is officially designated as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. This means that Shore follows American Stroke Association and Joint Commission protocols to provide the highest level of stroke care, ensuring patients receive the most advanced, effective treatments as quickly as possible.
Penn Medicine Telestroke Program at Shore
Shore Medical Center has partnered with Penn Medicine to offer real-time access to top neurologists through the Penn Medicine Telestroke Program. This advanced telemedicine technology allows Shore’s providers to:
- Review brain imaging immediately with a Penn stroke expert.
- Conduct remote stroke examinations and consultations.
- Make accurate diagnoses and initiate treatment immediately.
This partnership ensures that patients receive expert-level stroke care within minutes, even when a neurologist is not physically present.
Recognizing a Stroke: Think B.E.F.A.S.T.
The best way to prevent severe stroke damage is to recognize symptoms early and act immediately. Use the B.E.F.A.S.T. test:
- B = Balance – A sudden loss of balance or coordination
- E = Eyes – Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or double vision in one or both eyes
- F = FACE Drooping – Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop or feel numb?
- A = ARM Weakness – Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S = SPEECH Difficulty – Is their speech slurred, or do they have trouble speaking? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.”
- T = TIME to call 911 – If any of these symptoms appear, call 9-1-1 immediately.
